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[Provisional Translation]

Prime Minister Shinzo Abe attended a General Meeting of the Japan Association of City Mayors held in Tokyo.

The Prime Minister said in his opening address,

“I am delighted that the General Meeting of the Japan Association of City Mayors is being held today with such grandeur.

I would like to once again express my sincere respect to all of the city mayors for making arduous efforts every day at the front lines of local government to develop your communities and improve the welfare of the residents.

When I entered this venue today, I felt as if I’d come back to my hometown, because, firstly, I am very pleased to see that the mayors from my home prefecture of Yamaguchi Prefecture have been thoughtfully placed in the front row. My hometown is a beautiful small town that used to be called Yuya Town in Otsu District, Yamaguchi Prefecture, where beautiful terraced rice fields spread out across a vast area along the Sea of Japan. It is the people in this town that got me to the Diet. I never forget that fact for even a single day. Without regional and municipal dynamism, there would be no Japan. With this in mind, I intend to continue to serve as Prime Minister and implementing national policy.

This year, Japan has suffered from various disasters. For example, starting with the Kumamoto Earthquake, there were several instances of record-breaking heavy rains resulting from typhoons, with a spate of severe damage occurring in regions throughout Japan.

Once again, I would like to express my condolences for all those who lost their lives, and my heartfelt sympathies for everyone affected by the disaster. As well as exerting our best efforts for the recovery and reconstruction of affected areas, we will steadily advance national resilience from the viewpoint of disaster prevention.

On October 11, the second supplementary budget was passed that includes economic measures to realize investments for the future. In order to fully cultivate the hidden potential of regions, we will strongly advance measures for assisting with childcare and the growing needs of nursing care, looking toward a future in which all citizens are dynamically engaged.

Japan is blessed with the charms of abundant nature, unique history and culture, and high-quality agricultural, forestry and fishery products particular to each region, all of which have been preserved and developed by the people of towns and villages. Vitalizing local economies comprises a challenge to fully utilize the charms of each region, to create highly distinctive regions that will attract young people. In regard to vitalizing local economies, which has reached the stage of all-out project development, we will provide proactive support by way of information, human resources, and financing. 

I am convinced that it is only when the towns, villages, and regions become energized that Japan’s future will open up.

I hope you will all continue to exert your abilities to the fullest, taking the lead in your respective communities, while incorporating the diverse opinions of the people. I would also like to once again ask for your understanding and cooperation in regard to the policies that the Government is promoting. Thank you.”